If you, like many others living in the US, are an EBT cardholder, you’re probably wondering where else you can use it apart from grocery stores. More importantly, you may be wondering if fast-food restaurants like Subway take EBT.
So does Subway take EBT? And are there conditions you need to be aware of before placing an order? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about using an EBT card in Subway.
Hungry for more? Let’s begin.
Does Subway Take EBT?
You may be aware that EBT is not accepted everywhere. However, you’ll be happy to know that Subway does accept EBT, although this depends on certain conditions and locations.
So what does this mean exactly? Read on to find out more.
EBT: A Short History
To find out whether Subway takes EBT, it is important to discuss what EBT can be used for.
EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) allows people who are in receipt of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits to purchase food directly from retailers. The benefits are electronically transferred to an EBT card to be used as and when needed.
SNAP allows those on a low income to be able to afford nutritious and healthy foods in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The program has set rules as to what can and cannot be purchased using EBT.
Recipients cannot purchase alcohol, tobacco products, or food that is hot or prepared on purchase. These rules prevent the program from being abused and ensure the benefits are being used properly.
Using EBT At Subway
EBT can only be used to purchase goods from Subway in-store. This means you cannot use EBT to order on the app or online.
Do All Subway Restaurants Accept EBT?
As discussed earlier, there are certain ‘loopholes’ that allow the purchase of food that is hot and prepared on purchase using EBT.
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows those in receipt of SNAP benefits to purchase items from Subway, and other restaurants alike. RMP is mainly for the elderly, disabled, or homeless who may struggle to afford or prepare their own meals.
This program runs only in the following states:
- California
- Michigan
- Arizona
- Rhode Island
- Illinois
- Maryland
Many of the Subway locations that accept EBT as a form of payment are in:
- Arizona
- California
- Rhode Island
If you do not live in a state with the Restaurant Meals Program, then you will not be able to use your EBT card to purchase food from Subway.
Similarly, if you do live in one of the above states, but do not qualify for RMP, then you will be unable to purchase hot items.
What Else Can I Purchase Using EBT At Subway?
Fear not, as there are still a number of items that you can purchase from Subway using EBT.
EBT-eligible items that can be purchased from Subway:
- Cold sandwiches
- Salads
- Desserts (ice cream and cookies)
- Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Red meat (mince meat, steak)
- Soft drinks (Pepsi, Sprite)
- Energy drinks (Red Bull)
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Poultry products
- Meat (ham, salami)
- Breads
- Potato chips
Unfortunately, it seems that Subway only sells a small portion of this list separately such as soft drinks, cookies, and potato chips. Therefore, your EBT benefits will be better spent at a grocery store.
Subway And EBT
It may seem wrong to be able to use EBT benefits at fast-food chains like Subway. Many take-out restaurants now offer healthier alternatives that persuade consumers to make better choices.
This is why Subway is a great fit for EBT as although some options can be tremendously calorific, others, such as salads, are a healthy, and sometimes tastier, alternative.
More and more fast-food restaurants now accept payment using EBT such as Burger King, Mcdonalds, KFC, and Taco Bell. The same rules apply in that customers must purchase from a store registered as an RMP and must qualify for the program if hot food is to be purchased.
Conclusion
Subway does take EBT as a method of payment but only under certain circumstances. To be able to purchase hot items from this fast-food chain, you must live in a state with a Restaurant Meals Program, which you must also qualify for.
If you do not qualify for RMP then you may still be able to purchase cold items from Subway. However, this depends on the state in which you live. If you are still unsure, speak to a Subway team member who will be happy to help.
